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The DUP representative subsequently apologised to his Twitter followers.

He said: "Mea culpa earlier today I glanced at a tweet & rt about £ of murders in London. Didn't take cognisance of Ramadan ref. Once brought to my attention immediately deleted. Apologise profusely for offence caused."

His apology was welcomed by Islamic leaders in Belfast but they said the timing of Mr Paisley's retweet was "unfortunate", given anxiety within the community over an unrelated race hate campaign in England urging people to target Muslims.